The Assam government has extended the beef ban to all public places across the state. Announcing this on Wednesday, the Assam chief minister Hemant Biswa Sharma said that the existing ban now includes new amends which Includes hotels, restaurants and public spaces across the state.
Earlier the decision was limited to consumption of beef near temples. Tightening the ban and extending it statewide, he said, “Now, in Assam, we have decided that beef will not be served in any of the restaurants or hotels or in any public functions and community fests. It’s now decided that we are stopping the consumption of beef in all public places.”
The decision came after a cabinet meeting was held. Speaking to the media, Sarma argued that this move by the Assam government came after Congress leaders remarks’ on BJP accusing it of distributing beef in Samaguri, a Muslim majority area where the BJP won in the bypoll last month.
“We discussed the recent statements given by Congress leaders Bhupen Borah and Rakibul Hussain as they expressed disappointment about beef in many places. So, we concluded that the existing bill lacks some provisions and added some new provisions to it and We expect that Congress will support us.” he said.
Speaking about the bill which was approved in 2021 by the State assembly, despite a walkout from the opposition when the bill was proposed as they demanded a committee to sit and discuss the bill further before passing it, Sarma said, “Prior to this, We introduced a bill in Assam to safeguard cows and we were successful.”
Attacking the opposition, he said, “I challenge the Congress government to welcome the beef ban or move to Pakistan.”
Although beef is not illegal in Assam, The Assam Cattle Preservation Act of 2021 bans cattle slaughter and selling beef in areas where Hindus, Jains and Sikhs are in majority. “We had limited the consumption and sale of beef within a 5 km radius of a temple but now we have decided to extend it to other areas,” Sarma said.
Failure to Adhere to the provisions of the bill would lead to imprisonment of at least eight years and a fine around 3 to 5 lakhs.
